Mads nielsen



'2 sheets-sheet 1.

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M. NIELSEN. OYSTER DREDGB. Ne. 546,181. Patented Sept. 10, 1895.

I flinky/5 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet V2.

M. NIELSEN.

OYSTBR DREDGB.

No. 546,181. Patented Set. 10, 1895.

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't5 proved dredging-machine.

UNITED STaTss PATENT @Trient Mans NmLsnN, or New vonk, N. v.

oYsTER- DREDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters 1 atent No. 546,181, dated September 10, 1895.

Application filed June 3, 1895.

to others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reterencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which- Figure Il is a perspective view of my im- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on a vertical plane through the middle of the machine, and Fig. 3 shows the machine in position for emptying the catch on the deck of the boat or vessel by 2o which the machine is worked.

z improved construction and combination of parts of a machine of that description, as will be hereinafter more fully described andclaimed. p

On the accompanying drawings the refer- 5o ence-letter A. denotes the basket or receptacle for receiving the catch, which preferably is made of iron slats a a, of suitable size, bolted upon frames b b, so as to form a basket-like rectangular receptacle, having a hinged bot- 3 5 tom B, provided with suitable catches or fastenings for keeping it closed. The iron slats or bars forming the top of the receptacle project somedistance beyond the sides and bottom and are pointed to form a row of parallel 4o teeth or ickets a a on the top of the machine.

The open-work receptacle A is mounted upon two stout and stron g parallel side bars C C, which proj ect a considerable distance in front of the open mouth c of the receptacle and are provided with small wheels or rollers D D, which when the machine is in operation, as illustrated in Fig. 2, run upon the bottom of the sea. Upon the forwardly-projecting 5o arms of these side bars C C, opposite to each other, are bearings or boxes e e, in which is journaled a revoluble shaft E, provided with Serial No. 551,471. (No model.)

i two rowsof'teeth F F, projecting in opposite directions from the shaft. Between this shaft .and the open mouthof the receptacle A, bolted jiirmly to the side bars C C, are two upwardly and forwardly projecting arms Gr G, connected on top by a brace or cross-piece H, and having eyes g g in theirfree ends for the attachment of a strong rope or chain l, to which is fastened another long rope or chain I for pulling the machine along the bottom of the sea and hoisting it to the su rface when the receptacle A is full.

, The laterally-projecting ends of the shaft E are provided with radial arms K K, forming star wheels ot' the shape shown in Fig. l, the arms of which have flattened but pointed ends 7c r, which will easily penetrate into the mud and sand forming the sea-bottom, being forced down into this by the weight of the machine. To the forward open end c of the receptacle A, and on the under side of this, is secured a row of downwardly-projecting curved teeth L, each tooth being made separately and fastened, independent of the others, to the forward end of the under side of the machine, so that if any one of the teeth L should break it can easily be removed and a new and perfect one substituted.

On one of the revolving star-wheels K K one of the arms is provided with a laterallyprojecting wrist-pin m, to the outer end of which is pivoted a connecting-rod M, the other end of which is articulated to the lower end of an oscillating arm N, which is fulcrumed uponthe upper end of a postO, securely bolted to the forward end of the side piece C on that side of the machine. To the upper end of this oscillating arm N is fastened acord or wire P, which extends up to the surface, where it is carried aboard of the dredger-boat and fastened loosely; or it may be heldt in the hands of one of the men during the operation of dredging.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of this machine will readily be understood. As it is being pulled rapidly along the sea-bottom by the boat above by means of the haulingropes I and l', with the teeth L projecting down into the soft bottom and the revolving arms K K rotating the toothed shaft E above the stationary teeth L, the latter will dig out IOO and pick up the shell-ish, crabs, &c., lodged in or upon the bottom, while as the toothed shaft revolves its teeth F F, passing between the stationary curved teeth L L, will clear the spaces between these and throw the catch into the adjacent open end or mouth'c ofthe receptacle A. lf for any reason the shaft E should cease to revolve-as when, for example, the star-wheels K K should meet an obstruction or the spaces between the teeth L L become choked up, so as to prevent the toothed shaft E from turning-the oscillating arm N will cease its motions and remain stationary, when it follows that the indicator cord or wire Pl will also remain at rest, instead of being pulled upon intermittently by arm N, thus instantly giving notice tothe people in the boat above that the receptacle is full, or that something is 'the matter, so that in either case the inachine may be pulled up. In pulling it up it will assume a vertical position, as indicated in Fig. 3, and in this position it is swung, by means of a derrick or small jib-crane, in over the deck of the boat, after which the bottom door B is opened, allowing the contents to drop out upon the deck of the vessel, where the catch is culled and assorted, as usual, throwing the small oysters and trash overboard and assorting the remainder according to size into the several marketable grades.

lavingthus described myinvention,lclamr and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesl. In a machine for dredgingshell ish, the combination of the openwork receptacleA provided With the hinged door B and side-bars C C having rollers D l); the row of teeth L L fastened removablyand separately to the front end of the receptacle on the under side; and the revolving-shaft E provided with rows of teeth F F intersecting and alternating with the stationary teeth L L, and having at opposite ends the star wheelsKK; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine for dredging shell-fish, of the type described, the combination with the receptacle A having stationary teeth L L, and revolving shaft E having teeth F F and pror vided with the star wheels K K, arranged as described, of the oscillating indicator arm `N having a cord or wire attached to its free end, and connecting rod VM, connecting the lower end ot' said arm to One of the arms ot one of the star wheels; substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MADS NIELSEN. IVitnesses:

HANS HERMANSEN,

LAURITs SOUDERGAARD. 

